Tea and sympathy for the summer heat

MANILA, Philippines- With a unique selection of teas, coffees and other specialty beverages, there’s definitely a drink for everyone at Happy Lemon.

Having only opened its first Philippine branch at Promenade, Greenhills in November of last year, Happy Lemon was brought to the country by Happy Lemon Group Philippines, Inc. — a group comprised of the Gaisano family, represented by chairman Kelvin Gaisano and president Kristine Gaisano, Smart Gilas player Chris Tiu who’s on top of marketing and business development, and partners Andres See, Charles Chua, Wesley Pardilla, and Edward Go.

According to Tiu, Happy Lemon originated in Hong Kong — opening there in 2006 — and has since found its way into the hearts of milk tea-loving Asians. “Happy Lemon now has a huge following among milk tea drinkers around the world,” he shares. “To date, it has over 100 branches spread across Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Australia and now, the Philippines.”

A quick look at Happy Lemon’s beverage menu is enough to pique one’s curiosity. An exciting and diverse selection of drinks — from fresh teas and milk teas to coffee infusions and other specialty drinks — awaits the customer. There’s the popular Milk Tea range, which features a creative repertoire of flavored milk tea drinks for kids and adults; the lemon series of lemon-infused drinks; and the rock salt cheese collection, a Happy Lemon original that introduces the fascinating combination of rock salt and cheese to tea, coffee, and cocoa.

With such a mouthwatering beverage selection, Happy Lemon Group Philippines Inc. hopes to reignite the milk tea culture in the Philippines. “Happy Lemon takes off from the milk and bubble tea culture, which is very popular in other Asian countries such as Hong Kong and China,” Tiu relates. “Filipinos, to some extent, have already been introduced to this phenomenon — but we want them to develop a deeper appreciation of it by offering them quality beverages that boast unique and delicious flavors, crafted with only the freshest ingredients from around the world.” He adds that beverages are also ideal for the health-conscious, as no added preservatives or artificial additives are used in the making of the drinks.

With many people already flocking to the Greenhills Promenade branch, he reveals that the group has plans to expand. “We will be opening several branches in the immediate future, beginning with one at Eastwood in May, at the Power Plant Mall sometime during the third quarter, and a number of others scheduled within the year.”

* * *

Happy Lemon is located at the first level of the Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Ave., Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila.